Bears Add Highly-Touted DL Transfer Xavier Carlton

The Bears picked up another big transfer from the portal today with the announcement that 6-6/270 Utah redshirt frosh defensive lineman Xavier Carlton‍ would be transferring to Cal this spring.

Carlton was high on the Bears’ target list as a prep player, where he was a consensus 4 star defensive end and rated the number 12 strong side defensive end in the country and No. 2 player in the state of Utah.

Carlton played at nearby Modesto Christian High School and was named Trans-Valley League Outstanding Defensive Lineman and Bee All-District selection as a junior till moving to Utah and transferring to Juan Diego Catholic his senior year. In his final prep season, Carlton was named first-team all-state and was invited to play in the 2020 All-American Bowl and the Polynesian Bowl, compiling 91 tackles and eight sacks on the defensive line, adding 13 receptions for 225 yards (17.3 ypc) and two touchdowns as a tight end.

As a redshirt frosh in 2021 at Utah, Carlton played in 11 games, including two starts at defensive end, adding 18 tackles and four tackles for loss on the season in Utah’s first Rose Bowl season.

Carlton was the third portal addition by the Bears this offseason, joining former Purdue junior QB Jack Plummer and Washington MLB Jackson Sirmon. Look for the Bears to remain active in the portal market this recruiting period as players continue to become available.

Related:

Bears Pick up Key Transfer in Former UW MLB Jackson Sirmon

Bears Add Purdue Transfer QB Plummer